He is ranked among the top 100 country artists of all time, has 21 No. 1 hits, and is known for his unique style and personality that allowed him continuous success for more than 40 years.
He’s T.G. Sheppard and he is ready to perform Sept. 22 at Windstone Entertainment Event Center, 2425 Industrial Drive.
According to T.G. Sheppard’s official website, he left his home in Humboldt, Tennessee, at age 15, traveling to Memphis to begin his music career and working in various bands to help build his skills. Using the name Brian Stacy, he released his first record, “High School Days,” which touched the pop charts in 1966 and resulted in opening for well-known acts like The Animals and The Beach Boys, the website said.
After a short detour from music, in 1974, Sheppard found himself with a song that helped fully launch his career: Bobby David’s composition “Devil in The Bottle.” After being turned down by eight labels in 18 months, Sheppard cut the song himself, headed to Nashville and was signed to the Motown label, the website said. While promoting records for RCA, Sheppard formed a close personal and professional relationship with Elvis Presley.
“The story of how the two friends met is incredible,” said Claire Fields, publicist for Absolute Publicity that represents Sheppard. “Sheppard even lived at Graceland during his tenure in Memphis with Elvis buying Sheppard his first tour bus, giving the country legend the push and confidence he needed to forge his own music career.”
Sheppard began to take off in the music industry, being named “Best New Male Artist” in 1976 by CASH BOX and scoring 14 consecutive No. 1 songs including “Only One You,” “Party Time” and “War is Hell (On the Homefront),” the website said.
Accolades continued to pile up for Sheppard as his popularity and fan base grew through the years with multiple other No. 1 hits and chart-topping songs, awards and additional business successes including opening his former private residence in the Great Smokey Mountains as a bed and breakfast and being an original investor in the popular chain of country nightclubs, Guitars and Cadillacs, according to the website.
Outside of performing regularly across the United States, he released a popular duet CD and now has gone back in the studio currently recording his first solo album in more than 20 years, which will be release later this year, Fields said.
“On this new record, Sheppard honors his dear friend, Elvis Presley, by including two tracks written about the icon’s life,” she added.
Charles Stone, owner of Windstone Entertainment Event Center, is excited to bring Sheppard to Mid-Missouri audiences in the capital city.
“He is a great singer. You listen to his voice and it just makes you want to melt,” he said, noting he likes all of his music and often would play it when he was a DJ. “I think he will be a good draw for Windstone.”
Stone has seen how his mission to bring more classic country artists, like Sheppard, and other notable classic rock and roll and R&B groups has grown in popularity. He started by bringing country music legend and gospel singer T. Graham Brown to Windstone last November with a bigger audience for country performer Moe Bandy this spring.
“The Moe Bandy concert was very nice. People came and throughout that was one of the best concerts ever,” Stone said. “If they are saying that about Moe Bandy, I know that will carry over when they come see T.G. Sheppard.”
Stone already has additional concerts planned at Windstone to bring more classic country, R&B, and rock and roll to Jefferson City and Mid-Missouri, with four more concerts booked through spring next year. The first is a Veterans Concert featuring David Ball on Nov. 17. After doors open at 5 p.m., Prairie Moon will open at 6 p.m. before Ball takes the stage.
“Ball has done a lot for the military, and we are excited to have him here during an event where we will be honoring veterans,” Stone said, noting tickets are $30 for that concert.
The sounds of R&B will hit the Windstone stage Oct. 27 when the Fabulous Motown Revue, known as the Midwest’s party and dance band, will perform along with special guest Columbia-based Chump Change blues band. Doors open at 6 p.m. with showtime starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.
Known as “the singer’s singer,” Gene Watson will come to perform March 30 at Windstone, with special guest band Silver Wings. Doors open at 5 p.m. with showtime at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door.
Squeeze Box featuring Mollie B and Ted Lange will perform twice at Windstone, from 6-10 p.m. April 26 and 3-7 p.m. April 27. One-day admission is $15, and two-day admission is $25.
In between these concerts, Stone also is featuring local and regional bands that deliver much of the same classic country, R&B, blues and/or rock and roll sound, which is building a following to Windstone Entertainment, outside of renting the venue for private parties and events.
“During the last concert, there were several local hotels with rooms booked of people coming to see the concert. I hope we are helping the community and bringing in visitors,” Stone said. “There is an opportunity to bring in these amazing groups and artists because they want to play. We have people here in Mid-Missouri who would love to see them, and I hope we keep building that support locally to keep bringing in these great acts.”
Doors open at 5 p.m., with The Osage Travelers opening for Sheppard at 6 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person, and the Windstone Kitchen will be open with a cash bar available. For more information or to order tickets, call 573-636-2850 or visit windstoneentertainment.com or Windstone’s Facebook page. For more information about Sheppard, visit tgsheppard.com.